Catch up Friday, A Few Thoughts, Favorites & Trend Spotting

Catch up Friday, A Few thoughts, Favorites & Trend Spotting

Hello Pretty Ladies,

I hope you had a great week. It’s been a while since I’ve posted, and really caught up with you. My year has been crazy, with taking care of my mom, my melanoma journey, and becoming a grandma (COCO). Along with the heaviness of the world, my head and little world have been spinning. Today, I thought I’d do a little brain dump and life update/catch-up.

Week Recap:

My week was a little shorter than usual because I had a long weekend away for some work and girl time in California. It’s always a good time to catch up with friends, Shop, and enjoy the California coast. Road tripping with my mom, visiting my good friend Gina, and catching up with girlfriends I met on the gram and have become friends over the years, and annually we meet in Beverly Hills at Madison Masion (a shoe brand we all work with) for a lovely event.

This year we enjoyed a full day, checking out all the New arrivals and product launches at Madison Madison, then Drinks and appetizers at Wally’s before we headed to Spago’s for Dinner. We had so much fun, we didn’t get home until Midnight! It’s been a long time since I’ve stayed out that late.

Mixing work and Friendship over 50 feels so different. It’s intentional, joyful, and uplifting. When you do what you love and surround yourself with people who understand your work and support and encourage you, it is refreshing. Whether like-minded or with different views, we love and respect each other enough to have discussions without judgment.

Gina|Kathy|Janet|Myself|Lisa|Suzanne

On My Mind

In today’s heavy world, everything is judged, and everything you say or don’t say can somehow be controversial! How sad is that? Why is everyone so sensitive? Should we feel wrong to believe the way you wish? Why does it have to be so divided? I truly believe Most people want love, love their families, want a safe, loving home, clean food and air, and what’s best for our children. So much Evil. I wish we could go back to simpler times, and I feel many others are on the same page. 

Something about being over 50: You learn you can truly pick and choose who you surround yourself with, and you can create the life you want and understand how to create peace in the chaos. We understand we can’t control everything, but we can control ” our little world.” For me, my faith is a big part of what guides my choices and how I live my life. I hope that shows through what I share and how I react to what’s going on around me. 

Health Update:

3 Months since my Melanoma surgery, and yesterday I had my 2nd Co2 laser surgery. Right now, we are concentrating on the scar tissue underneath, which will also help with the couple of spots puckering. 

The laser process is only about 10 minutes. You use numbing cream about an hour beforehand, which helps; it does “smart” a little, but not horribly. The doctors did say, “You have a high pain tolerance?” After it’s a little hot, I take a few Ibuprofen, and you keep Aquaphor on it for 24 hours. It does bleed, ooze, scab over, and get messy. I will look like this for about 5 days. 

The Care:

For the next 4 to 5 days, you use a genital cleanser, then a vinegar soak for 10 minutes a day. It looks scabby and pretty ugly. Hopefully, it will look better than before. I know to follow the process, and I’ve been told that after 1 year, I won’t even see the scar. Praying that’s the case, but honestly, I am thankful this was my journey; although difficult, it’s much easier than chemo. I am thankful for God’s blessings and continue to pray as I have my 3-month skin check-up in a couple of weeks. 

Let’s get to the fun stuff….Shopping & Trends

Here are a few things I am loving, I may or may not have in my cart. A few items to build your wardrobe, plus a couple of things I love for the home.

* FYI: To check out| shop the product, my picks, or the item, simply click on the Brown word

A Few Favorite Things:

Raffia Straw crossbody with Leather and gold buckle| 

Polo Ralph Lauren Bear Graphic Sweater| Lauren Ralph Lauren Dog Sweater| Ralph Lauren Cotton Pj’s|

I own these Mother lemon twisted jeans, and they’re probably among my most-worn and flattering.  {Worn above}

Dean Davidson makes beautiful, everyday jewelry that’s great for go-to, perfect for Mother’s Day Gifts. Beaded bracelet| Tokyo Chain Bracelet|Signature Midi Studs|Hinged hoops| 

Baccarat Rouge 540 Scented Candle–Fragrance story: Bring home the fragrance born of the encounter between Maison Francis Kurkdjian and Maison Baccarat, with its floral, amber, and woody whisper. This scented candle subtly diffuses its condensed and graphic olfactive signature, bringing an air of refinement to your interior with notes of jasmine, saffron, cedarwood, and Ambroxan™. Perfect as a scented gift, the Baccarat Rouge 540 candle is ideal for creating a warm and refined atmosphere at home.

Mom of the Year sweatshirt by Favorite Daughter. I have this and wear it all the time, and get so many compliments

Le Creuset butter Stoneware| Stripes and stamps reading journal| 

Shea Mcgee from Studio Mcgee has a NEW cookbook –Around the Table, and I can’t wait to get mine.

Trend Spotting:

Tortoiseshell Accessories

(Tap on the item Word in brown to shop)

TortoiseShell is a classic in my book; it’s been used in home decor and fashion for years. It’s classic and always fashionable; right now, it’s trending for spring. What I love about this trend is that it really isn’t trendy, it’s pieces you can feel comfortable knowing you’ll be able to use for years to come without feeling “dated”. Here are a few things I’ve spotted and a few things I own.

A chic stainless steel traveling mug|  Tortoiseshell Handbag| Tortiseshell Saffron Sandalwood Candle| Toothbrush set|Hair Claw Clip 2 pack| Lily Scallop sunglasses| Shell Atsy Necklace| Jelly Tortiseshell bag|Steve Madden Jelly Sandal|Gold and Tortoise earrings| Wine & Water Glasses| Handbag chain| Dolce Vita sandal| Phone case |Serving tray| Make-up bag| Peepers readers| Mama heart charm|

 

Weekend Sales: Click on the Store name to take you to the SALES

*This sale list is updated every Friday with the most current deals.

Every week, there are so many GREAT deals!!!

Ambercrombie & Fitch 15% off or 20% off 3 or more items

ANN TAYLOR 30% off your purchase

ANTHROPOLOGIE 30% off select spring styles, Extra 50% off sale

BANANA REPUBLIC FACTORY 50% off everything + 25% off

Belk 30% off Friends and Family on Best Brands

CHICO’S 30% off spring favorites

GAP 50% off your purchase, closet refresh 

GAP FACTORY 60% off site wide + FREE shipping

More Sales, you’ll love

J.CREW FACTORY 40% off everything + extra 20% off $125

LOFT 40% off your purchase + extra 15% off, new RED HOT collection 55% off

Social Threads Extra 30% off sale items. Shop the collection HERE

Soma BOGO 50% off

SPANX sale selection Non-Sale Use Code: deardarcyxspanx for 15% off

WHBM Buy more, save more event